Portable jogging recorder

ABSTRACT

A base frame horizontally supports a resilient pad in turn supporting the feet of the user. A fulcrumed lever actuates a counter mounted on the base each time the padding is depressed by the feet of the user.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Lewis M. Schonfeld 343 East 5th, NewYork, N.Y. 10003 [21] Appl. No. 8,210 [22] Filed Feb. 3, 1970 [45]Patented Dec. 14, 1971 [54] PORTABLE .IOGGING RECORDER 1 Claim, 5Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.8. CI 272/57, 272/69, 235/99 [51 Int. Cl A63b 23/04 [50]FieldofSearch 273/181; 235/99; 272/74, 60, 59, 57, 69

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,503,754 8/1924 Hamilton...235/99 Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-RichardDror At!0rney-R0bert K. Rhea ABSTRACT: A base frame horizontallysupports a resilient pad in turn supporting the feet of the user. Afulcrumed lever actuates a counter mounted on the base each time thepadding is depressed by the feet of the user,

PORTABLE J OGGING RECORDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of theInvention The present invention relates to exercising devices and moreparticularly to an indicator recording the movement or steps of a userin stationary running or jogging.

For health reasons it is desirable and, with some individuals, necessarythat they exercise such as by running or jogging. Some individualsprefer to do the jogging or running while substantially stationaryrather than out-of-doors for various reasons, such as inclement weather.It is desirable that such jogging or running be accomplished inprogressive stages par ticularly when the individual begins suchexercise. This progressive degree or amount of exercise is usuallygoverned by the distance of travel out of doors or the number of stepsor times the feet touch the floor if performing stationary jogging orrunning actions. For example, in beginning stationary jogging it isusually specified that the exerciser execute a selected number of stepswhich may be subsequently repeated in series until they reach a maximumor required amount of jogging per day.

This invention provides a means whereby the user's jogging steps will berecorded and whereby through means of conversion tables the efforts ofthe exerciser may be approximated in terms of an equivalent of distancetraveled.

2. Description of the Prior Art U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,364,699 and 1,766,089disclose treadmilltype exercising devices which simultaneously recorddistance traveled.

The principal distinction of this invention over these devices is itsrelatively simple construction rendering it portable and easily storedin an out-of-the-way place as well as economical in production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A base member horizontally supports a resilientpad. A mat or grid, connected with the pad, is pivotally connected toone side of the base. A leverlike arm, connected with the grid, projectslaterally of the base and actuates a counter supported by the base eachtime the grid is moved downwardly from a position of repose by the feetof the user. The counter thus records each step of the user.

The principal object is to provide a portable exercising device forrecording steps of the user in stationary running or jogging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top view;

FIG. 2 is a right end elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view, partially in elevation, takensubstantially along the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, partially in elevation,taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view, partially in elevation,similar to FIG. 3, of an alternative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Like characters of referencedesignate like parts in those figures of the drawings in which theyoccur.

In the Drawings:

The reference numeral indicates the device, as a whole, which isrectangular in general configuration and includes a base or frame 12having an overlying pad I4 and a counting device 16 supported by thebase. The base or frame 12 is upwardly open boxlike in generalconfiguration having a horizontal bottom 18 and integrally connectedfront and rear walls 20 and 22, respectively, and opposing sidewalls 24and 26. The overall dimensions of the frame 12 is such that itencompasses an area greater than the combined area occupied by the feetof the user for conveniently supporting the user during stationaryrunning or jogging exercises. A pair of generally upward directedbrackets 28 are secured in lateral spaced relation to the forward orfront wall 20 and project upwardly above the horizontal plane of theupper limit of the frame 12 for supporting the counting device 16. Thecounting device is provided with an actuating plunger 30 depending fromits lower surface for progressively moving the dials 32 of the counterin response to actuation of the plunger 30 in the manner presentlydescribed.

The counter is further provided with a reset lever 34 for returning thecounting dials 32 to a zero or starting position.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pad 14 is formed of resilient materialsubstantially rectangular in configuration and dimensioned to bereceived between the respective side and end walls of the frame 12 andproject upwardly from the horizontal plane defining the upper limit ofthe walls. A rigid mat or grid 36, having an overall dimensionsubstantially equal to the pad 14, is horizontally embedded or supportedtherewithin. The grid 36 may be formed from any suitable material, forexample, expanded metal or crossed rodlike members extendinglongitudinally and transversely of the frame. In the example shown byFIG. 4, two pairs of the longitudinally extending rod members of thegrid are extended beyond the grid at the forward end of the frame toform a U-shape, indicated at 38, with the bight portion of each U-shapejournaled by lugs 40 formed on and projecting inwardly of the forwardwall 20 thus pivotally connecting the grid 36 to the forward wall andforming a fulcrum point for vertical movement of the other end portionof the grid about the horizontal axis formed by the lugs 40.

One of the longitudinal central rods forming the grid is extended toproject forwardly and upwardly from the front wall 20 to form a lever 42which journals a small roller 44, or the like, at is upwardly disposedfree end in contact with the depending end of the counter plunger 30.The lever 42 is preferably formed of resilient spring metallic material,for the reasons readily apparent, and, if desired, may have a loop orcoil 46, formed intermediate its ends, to add resiliency to the lever.Thus, each time the free end portion of the grid 36 is forced downwardlythe free end of the lever 42 is lifted for actuating the countingplunger 30 by pivoting movement of the grid about the fulcrum pointformed by its connection with the lugs 40.

In the example shown by FIG. 3, the resiliency of the pad 14 returns thegrid 36 to its position of repose each time the user's weight is removedfrom the pad.

Alternatively the resistance offered to the weight of the user may beaccomplished by interposing a plurality of helically coiled springs 50,or the like, between the grid and frame bottom 18. In this embodiment arelatively thin pad 14A overlies the grid 36.

OPERATION In operation the user places the device 10 on a horizontalsupporting surface with the pad 14 disposed upwardly. The counting dialsare reset to zero and the user performs his stationary running orjogging exercise on the pad 14 or 14A. Each time the user's footcontacts the pad his weight pivots the free end portion of the grid 36in a downward direction thus lifting the free end of the lever 42 whichactuates the counting plunger 30 and records each such step on thecounter 16. Obviously, the total number of recorded steps may betransposed to equal an equivalent distance traveled when the dimensionsof normal jogging action of the particular user is known.

Obviously the invention is susceptible to changes or alterations withoutdefeating its practicability, therefore, I do not wish to be confined tothe preferred embodiment shown in the drawings and described herein.

Iclaim:

1. A exercising device, comprising:

a frame;

a grid overlying said frame in horizontally spaced relation andpivotally connected at one end portion to one end portion of said frame;

horizontal plane each time said grid is pivoted downwardly, saidresilient means comprising a resilient pad overlying said frame andhaving said grid imbedded therein whereby a substantial portion of saidpad underlies said grid.

I l l

1. An exercising device, comprising: a frame; a grid overlying saidframe in horizontally spaced relation and pivotally connected at one endportion to one end portion of said frame; a counter mounted on said oneend portion of said frame, said counter having a depending actuatingplunger; a lever connected with said grid and projecting beyond saidframe, said lever having a free end portion underlying said plunger; andresilient means supporting said grid and returning it to a horizontalplane each time said grid is pivoted downwardly, said resilient meanscomprising a resilient pad overlying said frame and having said gridimbedded therein whereby a substantial portion of said pad underliessaid grid.